Brian Duensing admitted he got “a little antsy” before agreeing on a two-year, $7 million contract with the Cubs three weeks ago.

“We just had our fourth kid in November, so it’s a good thing I’m signed for another two years,” Duensing joked.

Despite a 2.74 ERA in 68 appearances with the Cubs last season, Duensing had to wait longer than many relievers on the free-agent market. Duensing remains delighted he re-signed with the Cubs but said he was “a little curious” as to the slow developing free agent market.

“It was one of those years, I guess,” Duensing said. “I don’t know how to describe it. We had a lot of teams saying they were interested, but they weren’t able to make an offer yet.”

Duensing believes teams prioritized starting pitching, with Jake Arrieta and Alex Cobb still on the market.

“Teams had a certain focus they wanted and wanted to fill that before going in a different direction,” Duensing said.

A previous experience helped Duensing prepare for this tedious winter.

“I signed with Kansas City a day before the first workout (in 2016),” Duensing recalled. “I’ll take this timing.”